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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first Beatriz Williams novel and I enjoyed it, but not as much as I expected to. I found the Cold War era time period to be unique and different from my recent historical reads. The story is told in dual timelines primarily from the point of view of twin sisters, Ruth and Iris. Ruth’s story begins in 1952 New York City, where she is practically running a modeling agency and follows her journey which inevitably leads her to Moscow to reunite with her estranged sister. The story of Iris begins twelve years earlier in Rome after Iris and Ruth joined their brother Harry who works for the US Embassy. Harry introduces Iris to his coworker, Sasha Digby who eventually becomes her husband.
I really enjoyed this book and would have given it four stars, but I found some of the transitions between time periods a little jumpy (at one point Ruth was suddenly on a plane to Rome and I felt like I had missed something in the story), and while I loved the characterizations, I was more interested in the espionage than who was having affairs. I was satisfied with the resolution of one of the sister’s stories but the other one was left a little up in the air for me. Still, it was an enjoyable read and I learned quite a bit about the time period. Recommended for historical fiction readers who are interested in the Cold War Era.
I really enjoyed this book and would have given it four stars, but I found some of the transitions between time periods a little jumpy (at one point Ruth was suddenly on a plane to Rome and I felt like I had missed something in the story), and while I loved the characterizations, I was more interested in the espionage than who was having affairs. I was satisfied with the resolution of one of the sister’s stories but the other one was left a little up in the air for me. Still, it was an enjoyable read and I learned quite a bit about the time period. Recommended for historical fiction readers who are interested in the Cold War Era.
There was a lot going on in this book and it took a lot of effort to keep up with all the characters and the timeline. Would not recommend for those who just want a light read before bed. I also found the ending unsatisfactory.
I liked this book better than the other ones I’ve read by Beatriz.
Wow! This was a great, thrilling story. Female centered, and not necessarily predictable. Recommend.
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audiobook, really liked but wish I would have read. It was a little confusing to keep up with while doing other things.
Spy novels, especially in the World War II era, are often clique, predictable and boring. I went into Our Woman in Moscow with that bias and quickly realized author, Beatriz Williams, wrote something that stood out in the crowd.
Iris Digby goes missing with her husband, an American Diplomat, and their children. Four years later, her twin sister Ruth receives a post card asking her to travel to the Soviet Union to help her with the delivery of her fourth child. In walks in intelligence officer Sumner Fox, a man who knows the story of Ruth and Iris as well as themselves.
The story jumps from Iris and Ruth throughout the book and it is important to focus on the timeframes because the years also jump around. I felt this kept the book interesting, but it could also cause some confusion. The story is heavy handed into the romance aspect and less about the actual spying itself, which wasn't a turn off to me.
This was my first Beatriz Williams book and won't be my last.
I received this book for free as part of a book tour. My opinions are my own.
Iris Digby goes missing with her husband, an American Diplomat, and their children. Four years later, her twin sister Ruth receives a post card asking her to travel to the Soviet Union to help her with the delivery of her fourth child. In walks in intelligence officer Sumner Fox, a man who knows the story of Ruth and Iris as well as themselves.
The story jumps from Iris and Ruth throughout the book and it is important to focus on the timeframes because the years also jump around. I felt this kept the book interesting, but it could also cause some confusion. The story is heavy handed into the romance aspect and less about the actual spying itself, which wasn't a turn off to me.
This was my first Beatriz Williams book and won't be my last.
I received this book for free as part of a book tour. My opinions are my own.
A quick read. An quick,entertaining, if somewhat predictable, story of two estranged twin sisters, based loosely on the Cambridge Five spy ring. I enjoy books with strong women characters and both sisters are very strong women in their own ways. It was kind of interesting reading this shortly after The Rose Code which also loosely deals with the Cambridge Five.